Brian Lydon

Somehow, my turn signal was nudged today, right tail light was on for half day but key was not in car. I tried to start car. Click. I hooked jumper cables up to car, it's an '85 by the way. Nothing. now, I noticed a loose relay type of switch under tool case. Could I have done something to the relay when I was looking under there? Why will this car not jump start? Windows and radio work fine by the way.
Thanks in advance.

ender928

With a completely dead battery it takes a lot to jumpstart. And at least when I had my 82 yes if you nudged the turn signal as you got out they would stay on.

Brian Lydon

Anyone know if the small cube like relay is of any ignition importance? It's under the tool box thingie.
Thanks in advance.

SteveG

The "jump" post under the hood was put there for that purpose. It is not recommended you charge there unless with a trickle charger, you can damage the computers. Disconnect batt from car if using a regular charger.

The relay you describe is prob for the hatch release motor IIRC.

How old is the batt? Get digital multimeter and check at the batt itself.

neilh

Turn signal staying on is normal if you leave turn switch in other than the center position. It becomes a parking light on most european cars.
Tell us some more - manual or auto, ROW or US, and what is the 'tool box thingie', do you mean the tool panel at the rear?

PorKen

Relay behind tool panel is for rear wiper.

'85-up require over 10 volts while cranking or the ignition/fuel computers won't work.

How old is the battery? If older than a couple of years, it may need replacing.

Brian Lydon

it's an '85 automatic. where is the jump post? the battery is 6 months old. Yes, I do mean the tool panel, I just said thingie, lol.

ender928

In the front. By the passenger fender there should be a black plastic covering about six inches or so under that is the jump post.

Brian Lydon

ok, so battery was a little low but multimeter says 12.39 v. Still nothing, not even a click. Headlights, radio sunroof and windows all work fine when key is turned???? I gotta get this car running quickly. It's at my work, and I work near da hood.

neilh

Automatics have a lock out that prevents starting if not in 'P or N'.
Try starting and move the shift out of park to 'N' and see if that works!
BTW - do you have factory alarm or an aftermarket alarm maybe?

Brian Lydon

tried the neutral, no luck. I wasn't aware car has an alarm. The guy that was working on my hatch said a few months ago when he put key in hatch the alarm went off and then wouldn't start. I just kind of agreed with him, but I didn't ask him how he got it started.

neilh

Do you have 2 keys for the car, one longer than the other? If so, lock the car, open it with the key you don't normally use and try again!
The long key is the one that de-activates the alarm, and the car will not start if the alarm is activated.

neilh

See below...

Brian Lydon

I don't have an S key, and what would have triggered it to do this? I never heard any alarm today as it was parked out side of my work.

Landseer

Alarm wouldn't disrupt the starter, just the starting.


Measure voltage from bat positive to a rear shock tower bolt and see if its the same as across battery.